Convertible embalming table



H. M. LEONARD CONVERTIBLE EMBALMING TABLE Nov. 6, 1928.

Filed Sept. 10, 1 926 I5 Sheets-Sheet Nov. 6, 1928.

H. M. LEONARD CONVERTIBLE EMBALMING TABLE Filed Sept. 10, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 6 b 11 3 m. 5 vd W M i h 9 S m a l e e e L s M E H L B M D 2 Rmm I M mm B. EM L M e S Ma e Hmn ER V N O C Nov. 6, 1928.

, table and which will Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

HARRY M. LEONARD, OF RANTOUL, ILLINOIS.

CONVERTIBLE EMBALIWING TABLE.

Application filed September 10, 1926. Serial No. 134,704.

This inventionrelatesto improvements in cmbalming tables and has as'its general object to provide an embalming table which may be uses asa carrying or transfer case and likewise as an embalming or morgue greatly facilitate the er of the body from place to place and oo or .ialnnng of the body and the other operations incident to its preparation for burial.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a convertible embalming table which, in one arrangement of its component parts, will serve as an inconspicuous transfer carrying case for the corpse, and, in another arrangement of its component parts, will serve effectually as an embalming tableproper, the construction being such that when the parts are arranged in i the latter manner, the operation of embalmmg may be performed both expeditiously and in an entirely sanitary manner.

Another ob]ect of the invention 1s to so construct the embahning table that when employed as a transfer or carrying case, it

corpse carried from a residence or hospital on a stretcher and with a covering draped directly over the body.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide, in, a structure of this class, a. tr ck and an embalming table proper adapted to be supported upon the truck for tilting adjustment or to assume atruly horizontal position, so that, in the embalming opera tion, the table may be adjusted to an inclined position to suit'the convenience of the embalmer and further to insure of complete automatic drainage of the embalming and other fluids employed, as Well as any fluids draining from the body.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the side members of the table that when they are lowered to a horizontal posit on they Wlll constitute tray supports, thus n'ovichng means for supporting the embalming instruments and facilitating the operation of embalming.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the bottom or bed of the table that the aecuu'iulation of embalming fluid and other fluids about the sides of the body will be entirely avoided and the surface of the table flushed with disinfecting fluids without wetting the body.

rrnother object oi the invention is to so construct the embahning table that in the preparation of the head of the c0rpse,'the entire head vill be accessible so that this part of the embalming operation may be readily performed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the embalming table embodying the invention, the table being shown in position upon a truck and horizontally disposed in full lines and inclined in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the table, one of the sections of each side member thereof being shown lowered and the other sections elevated. I

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View on the line l Li of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 a similar view on the line of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

In a manner to be presently explained, the table mbody ng the iirventionand indicated l by the numeral 1., adapted to ed upon a truck indicated. in gen be suppo;

oral by the prises side members cormeetc'd at their u side mem er t the 8 continuous with and per ends by an upper side members 3 and at of tubular material. and the braced by ham t H1 ug piercrai aide members 3 b30111" f and 6 extending eti een the trout and rear nuunbers E; at each side of the truck, the members 3 at the front of the truh braced by cross bars 7 and those at r end of the truck being braced bv bars 8 The members Set the truck provided at their lower ends with caster wheels 9 adapting the truck to be wheeled numeral 2 and this truck comill) [ill

about from place to place. The truck above described includes other features of construction which will presently be referred to in connection with the embalming table 1, and the said table 1 comprises a rectangular base frame consisting of side rails 10 and integral connecting end rails located at the head and foot ends of the table and indicated respectively by the numerals 11 and 12. Substantially the entire frame structure of the table is oftubular material so that it will be substantial and present a neat and attractive appearance, and the side rails 10 of the'base frame of the table are also relatively braced by cross braces 13, let and 15 located intermediate the ends 11 and 12 of the said base frame. The frame structure of the table further comprises uprights 16 which are fixed at their lower ends at the corners of the rectangular base frame ofthe table at the foot end thereof, a rail 17 which extends between the upper ends of the uprights 16, and relatively short side rail sections 18 which are integrally joined with the ends of the rail 17 and extend forwardly above the corresponding portions of the side rails 10 of the bed frame, these side rail sections 18 being braced by posts 19 extending between the end )ortions of the same and the said rails 10. borner posts 20, similar to the )osts 16, are fixed at the corners of the bel frame. structure at the head end thereofa'nd at their upper ends support side rail sections 21 which extend in the direction of the foot end of the table and are braced byupright posts 22 extending between their forward end portions and the respective side rails ltl. Relatively short head rail sections 23 extend laterally inwardly from the upper ends of the posts but their inner ends are spaced apartasuitable distance so that the head rail is not continuous as is the foot rail 17 and the purpose of this construction will presently be made clear.

Each of the side frames of the table includes, in addition to the head and foot fixed frame structures, two adjustable frame sections indicated one by the numeral 24 and the other by the numeral 25. The frame section 21 comprises an upper rail 26 and supporting posts 27 which extend downwardly therefrom near the ends thereof and are fitted at their lower ends into sockets 28 provided upon collars 29 which are rotatably fitted upon the respective side rails 10 of the base frame structure. The frame section comprises a top rail 30 corresponding to the top rail 26 of the section 24: and supporting posts 31 which extend downwardly therefrom near the ends thereof and at their lower ends are fitted in sockets 32 provided upon collars 33 rotatably fitted upon the side rails 10 of the base frame structure and the sections 24 and 2:) are of a combined length to close the space between the foot and head fixed frame structures, as will be observed by reference to F i ure 1 of the drawings. It will now be evi ent that the frame sections 24 and 25 may be independently swung to upright and to lowered position and in order to prevent longitudinal displacement of the said frame sections upon the rails 10, studs 34 are fixed in the side rails 10 and engage the relatively remote ends of the collars 29 and the relatively remote endsof the collars 33of the two sections. In order that when the sections are in upright position they may be rigidly able to engage over the adjacent end of the rail 26 of the frame section 24 when the frame section is in the upright position shown in Figure 1. A similar collar 36 is slidably fitted upon the ends of the rails 26 and 30 of the two frame sections and may be adjusted as shown in the said Figure 1, to bridge the meeting ends of these rails or slid onto the end of either rail so as to permit of lowering of the frame section. A similar collar 37 is provided upon the side rail 18 of the foot frame structureand is adjustable to engage the foot end of the side rail 30 of the respective sections 25. It will now be evident that when the frame sections 24 and 25 are swung to an uprightor vertical position, the collars 35, 36 and 37 may be adjusted so as to rigidly maintain these sections in such position, thus adapting the frame structure as a whole to serve as a transfer or carrying case for the body disposed therein. In arranging the body within the frame structure upon the bottom thereof, which'bottom will presently be more fully described, the frame sections 24 and 25 will preferably be swung downwardly so that the body may be more readily lifted and placed within the frame structure.

At this point it will be observed that, with respect to the frame section 24, the rail 26 thereof is parallel to the respective rails 10 of the base frame structure of the table so that a rectangular frame is provided within which a tray may be supported when the frame section 24 is in horizontal or lowered position. In order that the said frame section may be supported in this position, means is provided which will now be described. The means referred to comprises a brace 38 comprising a base bar 39 which is provided at its ends with short trunnions 40 fitting 'rotatably in the adjacent ends of sections of the respective side bars 6 of the truck 2, these bars of the truck frame structure being divided between their ends in order to accommodate the braces 38. The brace further comprises arms 41 which extend from the base bar 39 and converge in the direction of their outer ends where they are integrally IOU united and are formed to provide a concave seat 42 in which the rail 26 Ofetht? respective section 24 may rest when the framesection is in lowered or horizontal position, as clearly shown in Fi ure .3 of the drawings. It will be observed by reference to Figures '2 and 3 of the drawings, that when the frame sections 24 are lowered to horizontal position and supported by the respective braces 38, they are adapted, as previously stated, to support a tray indicated by the numeral 43 and in which tray, instruments, bottles, and other apparatus employed in the embalming operation may be arranged, so as to be readily accessible to the embalmer. l/Vhen the sections 24 are in the lowered position stated, the sections 25 will likewise preferably be either dropped down to pendent vertical position or, if desired, they may be supported with the sections '24 by permitting the collars 36 of the sections at the opposite sides of the table to remain in position connecting the rails of the sections 24 and 25 and merely disengaging the collars and 37, the connection between the relatively adjacent ends of the rails 26 and 30 through the medium of the collar 36 serving to support the section 25 in horizontal position and a second tray may be disposed within the supporting structure thus provided.

From the foregoing it will be evident that when the side members of the frame structure are in elevated position an enclosed carrying or transfer case is provided in which the body may be conveniently carried from the residence or hospital to the undertaking establishment or morgue and inasmuch as this structure is of oblong rectangular form and free from any projecting parts, it will be inconspicuous and not repulsive .to the observer, and in this connection it will be further understood that if a covering is draped over the structure, that portion thereof which covers the upper side of the structure will be flat so that the presence of the body within the structure will not be made evident.

In order that the table may be conveniently carried and conveniently rolled into the ambulance, the corner posts 16 are provided at their lower ends with extensions 44 provided with swiveled casters 45, and the' corner posts 20 are provided at their lower ends with longer extensions indicated by the numeral 46, which may be employed as handles in Wheeling the table into the ambulance or, when the table is in position within the ambulance or on a floor, these extensions, together with the casters 45, will constitute supporting legs for the four corners of the table.

In order that the table may be restrained against longitudinal displacement as well as transverse displacement when placed upon the truck 2, the upper cross pieces 4 of the sides of the truck are provided with seats 47 in which the cross braces 14 and 15 may rest, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings, it being observed by reference to Figure .3, that the seats 47 are located immediately inwardly of the side rails 10 of the base frame structure of the table when the table is mounted upon the truck.

When the cross braces 14 and 15 are disposed to rest in the seats 47, the table will be supported in horizontal position upon the truck 2, but during the embalming operation, it is preferable to have the table inclined to a greater or less degree from its head end to its foot end and in order that the table may e so supported, a brace 48 is provided. This brace comprises a tubular frame having side members 49 which are anchored in sockets 50 provided upon collars 51 which pivotally engage the end portions of the cross bar 8 of the truck 2, the frame further including a cross piece 52 which connects the outer ends of the side members 49. A number of tubular bars 53 extend between the cross members 13 .and 15 of the base frame structure of the table and near their juncture with the said cross members are bent to extend upwardly so that the bars are somewhat elevated with respect to the plane occupied by the frame structure consisting of the side members 10, the end members 11 and 12, and the cross members 13, 14 and 15. These bars 53 extend in spaced parallel relation to one another and serve a primary function to be presently explained, but certain of them serve to support two parallel seriesof seat members 54 which project downwardly from the bars by which they are carried and which have notched lower ends 55 adapting them to straddle and engage the cross member 52 of the brace-48 whenthe brace isswung upwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Therefore, by engaging this member of the brace 48 in one or another pair of the seats 54, the head end of the table may be supported at. any desired elevation, as shown in dotted lines in the said Figure 1, the cross piece 15 of the base frame structure of the table restingin the respective seat-s47 and serving to prevent any longitudinal displacement of the table.

The supporting surface of the table com-. prises a bottom 56 which is of sheet metal and of oblong rectangular form and is pro vided with a plurality of alternately up wardly and downwardly presented longitudinal parallel corrugations 57 which are so spaced that alternate downwardly opening corrugations lit over the longitudinal bars 53, as clearly shown in F igure 3 of the drawings, and likewise in Figures 4 and 5, so as to firmly support the said bottom. Preferably, the corrugations are relatively deep so that during the emba'lming operation the embalming fluid and any fluids 1 iii which issue from the body will immediately flow down the channels afforded by the upwardly opening corrugations. These corrugations likewise serve to support the body in such manner that an antiseptic solution may be flushed over the surface of the bottom without wetting the body. It will also be evident at this point thatdue to the corrugated nature of the bottom 56, there will be no accumulation of the embalming fluid or other obnoxious fluids from the body around the'sides of the corpse, as all of these fluids will drain off from the said bottom, the body being embalmed resting only upon the ridges of the corrugations which open downwardly. The bottom 56 is of dimensions to extend between the side rails of the base frame structure of the table and to extend from a point above the cross member of the said frame structure to a point above the .cross member 13 of said structure, and at the last mentioned end of the bottomthere is provide a narrower extension which is indicated by the numeral 58 and which constitutes a head rest for the corpse, this head rest extending forwardly and resting upon the cross member 11 of the base frame structure as clearly shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. It wiil be observed by reference to Figure 2 of the drawings, that the extension 58 is of a width equal substantially to the distance between the opposing free ends of the head rail sections 23, and during the embalming operation and while the face and hair of the corpse are being prepared, the said bottom 56 may be bodily slid in the direction of the head end of the table so that the head rest extension 58 will project beyond the cross piece 11, thus positioning the head of the corpse rearwardly beyond the said top rail section 23 and permitting of more ready access thereto.

As previously stated, the foot end of the bottom 56 terminates at a point preferably abovethe cross brace 15 of the base frame structure of the table and this cross brace and the cross brace 12, together with the side members 10 of the frame structure, accommodate a damage or receiving pan indicated by the numeral 59. The pan 59 preferably has its bottom downwardly inclined from all sides and at the low point of the bottom there is provided an outlet spout indicated by the numeral 61, which preferably has a book 62 at one side thereof with which the bail of a bucket or other receptacle may be engaged, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, so as to collect the fluids discharged from the pan. It will now be evident that due to the inclined adjustment of the table while employed in the operation of the embalming, and the peculiar formation of the bottom 56, all of the fluids will be drained from the bottom and delivered at the foot end thereof directly into the drain pan 59, thus immediately disposing of such fluids and rendering the operation more sanitary than it is at the present time and by the employment of the old types of embalming tables.

The invention also includes a .body support consistinr of a rectangular frame 65 and a networli 66 of cords or spring-supported wires attached to and extending between the sides of said frame, the frame being shown with feet (37 to rest upon the side bars of the frame whereby it will be supported over the bottom or drain board 56. The fluids dripping from the body will drop through the open spares of the network (56 onto the draining member of the table,

and it is to be understood that this netted.

body may be used with or without the corrugated bottom 56. W hen connectedto the frame 1 without the bottom '56, it presents a sightly, convienient carrying case which may be set upon mortuary tables now in use.

The post 31 may provide with a shoulder 68 to support it in position for use as a shelf.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. An embahning table comprising a bottom frameand side frames upstanding there from, frame members extending longitudinally between the side frames of the table and in parallel relation to one another, and a bottom comprising a sheet metal body having alternately arranged upwardly and downwardly presented corrugations disposed between the side members of the frame and with certain of the downwardly presented corrugations engaging over said parallel frame members.

2. An embalming table comprising a bottom frame and side frames upstanding therefrom, frame members extending longitudinally between the side frames of the table and in parallel relation to one another. a bottom comprising a sheet metal body having alternately arranged upwardly and downwardly presented corrugations disposed between the side members of the frame and with certain of the downwardly presented corrugations engaging over the said parallel frame members, and. a drain pan arranged at one end of the bottom frame and overlapped by the corresponding end of the said bottom. I

3. An embalming table comprising a botrom frame and side frames upstanding therefrom, frame members extending longitudinally between the side frames of the table and in parallel relation to one another. a bottom comprising a sheet metal body having alternately arranged upwardly and downwardly presented corrugations disposed between the side members of the frame and with certain of the downwardly presented corrugations engaging over the said parallel I'll frame members, a drain pan arranged at one end of the bottom frame and overlapped by the corresponding end of the said bottom, and means cooperating with some of the parallel frame members for supporting the table for tilting adjustment.

4. An embalming table comprising a bottom frame and side frame sections, frame members extending longitudinally of the bot tom frame and in parallel relation to one another, a bottom comprising a sheet metal body having alternately arranged upwardly and downwardly presented corrugations disposed between the side frames and with certain of the downwardly presented corrugations engaging over the said parallel frame members, the side frame sections being adjustable to upright position over the bottom frame and lowered position in the horizontal plane thereof, and means for supporting the side frame sections in adjusted portions.

y 5. An embalming table comprising a bottom frame and side frames upstanding therefrom, frame members extending longitud inally between the side frames of the table and in parallel relation to one another, a bottom comprising a sheet metal body having alternately arranged upwardly and downwardly presented corrugations disposed between the side members of the frame and with certain of the downwardly presented corrugations engaging over the said parallel frame members, the said table likewise comprising head and foot end sections, the head end section having an upper rail comarisin saaced alined rail sections and the said bottom having a head supporting section extensible between and beyond the said head frame section rails upon sliding adjustment of the said bottom.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HARRY M LEONARD, a s] 

